Medical Laser vs IPL: the Difference, Explained Simply, and How to Choose
Many people call a spa's pulsed light a "laser". Here is the difference, why hair grows back with one of them, and how to spot a real clinic.
If this is your first laser hair removal, preparation comes down to four things: shave the area the day before, set wax and tweezers aside for four weeks, stay out of the sun and tanning beds, and arrive with clean skin. That's it. There's nothing to buy.
This article walks through what we ask for before a session on the Clarity II (Cynosure Lutronic), our laser. It also says why each instruction exists, because an instruction you understand is easier to follow.
The four steps at a glance
| The step | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shave the area | 24 hours before your appointment | The laser should aim at the root, not at the part of the hair above the skin |
| No wax, tweezers or epilator | The 4 weeks before | These pull out the root, which is the laser's target |
| No direct sun, no tanning beds | 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after | Tanned skin absorbs more energy and reacts more easily |
| Clean skin, no cream, oil or deodorant | The day itself | Perfumes, deodorants and irritants are best kept off the area |
The next sections go through each row.
Shave the day before, not earlier
Shave the area 24 hours before your appointment. The laser targets melanin, the dark pigment in the hair, and the heat travels down to the follicle. Once shaved, the hair no longer sticks out: the energy goes to the root, which is the target.
For a hard-to-reach area like the back, ask someone for a hand. If a part couldn't be shaved, tell us when you arrive.
No wax or tweezers for four weeks
This is the instruction that surprises people most. If you've waxed for years, we understand that a razor feels like a step backwards. It is, for four weeks. After that, you won't need it.
The laser needs the hair root to work.
Wax, tweezers and electric epilators remove the root. Without it, the laser has nothing left to heat on that hair. A razor cuts at the surface: it's even recommended between sessions.
Sun and tanning: two weeks before, two weeks after
Avoid direct sun and tanning beds for the 2 weeks before and the 2 weeks after each session. The American Academy of Dermatology also asks you not to tan, outdoors or indoors, and to avoid sunless tanners. At our clinic, you stop self-tanners at least 1 week before.
Already have a tan? Wait until it has completely faded, usually 2 to 4 weeks. On the day of your session, your skin should be back to its natural colour. Between sessions, use SPF 30 or higher on exposed areas.
We don't say this to discourage a trip down south. We say it because tanned skin absorbs more energy and raises the risk of a reaction. If summer just ended, fall is a good time to start. Which skin the laser is safe on is also checked at the assessment: the Clarity II has two wavelengths precisely so it can treat every skin type, from the lightest to the deepest.
The morning of your appointment
- Shower and wash the area you shaved the day before.
- Put nothing on it: no cream, no oil, no deodorant, no perfume.
- Think about your medications and skin care products: we'll ask which ones you use, and it's useful for us to know.
Cleveland Clinic likewise asks you to avoid perfumes, deodorants and irritants on the area.
What we tell you in advance
The first meeting doesn't start with a laser shot. We look at your skin, the colour and thickness of your hair and your history, then set the parameters for you. Here is what we explain without you having to ask.
| What worries you | What we tell you |
|---|---|
| "Does it hurt?" | A warmth, like a light elastic snap. The built-in cooling helps, and the sensation eases as the hair thins. |
| "How many sessions?" | About 8 for most people, sometimes up to 12 depending on hair and hormones, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. |
| "Does it work on all my hair?" | No: white, grey, very light blonde or red hair doesn't have enough pigment. We confirm this before starting. |
| "What if I'm pregnant?" | As a precaution, we postpone during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your sessions will wait for you. |
| "My medications?" | Tell us everything, including over-the-counter products. What matters for the laser is checked at the assessment. |
During the session
We clean the area, everyone puts on protective glasses, then the medical esthetician passes the handpiece over your skin. Duration depends on the area: an upper lip takes little time, full legs take more. You leave and carry on with your day, and your skin may stay red for a while. The aftercare is detailed in the article on how laser hair removal works.
Frequently asked questions
Can I shave between sessions?
Yes, it's even recommended. What we avoid is anything that removes the root: wax, tweezers and electric epilators.
I shaved three days ago. Is that a problem?
Tell us when you arrive. It's up to the team to judge, on the spot, what we do that day.
I got some sun a week ago. Should I still come?
Call us first. On the day of your session, your skin should be back to its natural colour, and it's up to the team to judge that.
Where can I see pricing and book?
On the laser hair removal page, which lists the price of every area and the monthly plan.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology, "Laser hair removal: Preparation". Read the page
- American Academy of Dermatology, "Laser hair removal: FAQs". Read the page
- Cleveland Clinic, "Laser Hair Removal: Plastic Surgery". Read the page
- Cynosure Lutronic, Clarity II product page (manufacturer). Read the page
